Carole Comerton-Forde

How should liquidity be measured

Abstract Previous literature has adopted a broad range of measures to proxy for market liquidity, suggesting that there is no consensus about the most appropriate measure. The various measures used fall into two broad categories: trade-based measures and order-based measures. This paper reports that there is little correlation between the two. This suggests that the choice of measure may have a significant effect on research outcomes and therefore policy decisions. By examining changes in these two different measurement proxies before and after the commencement of the economic crisis on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (JSX), this paper provides evidence that order-based measures of liquidity provide a better proxy for liquidity. We also employ a new measure of liquidity, which captures the bid–ask spread, the order depth and the probability of order execution. The paper provides evidence of the value of this type of measure in assessing the impact of changes made to market structure.

Measuring Closing Price Manipulation

We quantify the effects of closing price manipulation on trading characteristics and stock price accuracy using a unique sample of prosecuted manipulation cases. Based on these findings we construct an index of the probability and intensity of closing price manipulation. As well as having regulatory applications, this index can be used to study manipulation in the large number of markets and time periods in which prosecution data are not readily available.

The Impact of Limit Order Anonymity on Liquidity: Evidence from Paris, Tokyo and Korea

This paper examines the impact of broker anonymity on bid-ask spreads in order driven markets. Previous theoretical research predicts that limit order anonymity results in deeper and more liquid markets. This paper examines this proposition using three natural experiments provided by Euronext Paris, the Tokyo Stock Exchange and the Korea Stock Exchange. Euronext Paris and the Tokyo Stock Exchange removed broker identifiers from limit orders on April 23, 2001 and June 30, 2003, respectively. In contrast, the Korea Stock Exchange introduced broker identifiers for limit order books on October 25, 1999. The results provide evidence that altering limit order anonymity has an impact on liquidity. Consistent with expectations, liquidity is enhanced by increased anonymity and adversely affected by decreased anonymity.

Price Clustering on the Tokyo Stock Exchange

This paper examines price clustering on the Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE). Regardless of tick and lot size, prices ending in zero and five are the most popular. The TSE has no market makers or direct negotiation between traders; therefore, clustering is not explained by collusion or negotiation. Our evidence supports the attraction hypothesis. Clustering also extends to order book depth. There is evidence of strategic trading behavior as traders place orders one price tick better than zero and five to avoid queuing orders at prices ending in these digits. Strategic trading behavior declined and clustering increased when the market became anonymous.

Do trading rules impact on market efficiency? A comparison of opening procedures on the Australian and Jakarta Stock Exchanges

Abstract This paper examines the impact of opening rules on stock market efficiency. In particular, it contrasts the opening call on the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX) and the continuous open on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (JSX). The results suggest that the use of a call enhances market efficiency by increasing liquidity and lowering volatility at the open. The results also indicate that some of the benefits associated with a call accrue even when there is no trading at the call. These results suggest that the use of a call market at the open may add to the efficiency of the JSX and other similar markets.

Investment Manager Skill in Small-Cap Equities

Using a representative sample of monthly portfolio holdings and daily trades, this study presents unique evidence of significant stock selection skill amongst institutional small-cap equity managers on a risk-adjusted basis. Of particular importance is the magnitude of the performance generated by fund managers in our sample. Aggregate four-factor and five-factor alphas are 68 and 59.6 basis points per month before management expenses and tax, respectively. The evidence from holdings and transaction-based metrics of performance also reveals that small-cap equity managers possess superior stock selection ability, from both a statistical and economic perspective. Our results are robust to the deduction of transaction costs. Our research provides important non-U.S. evidence concerning the value of active management, in a market segment which exhibits both lower liquidity and lower analyst coverage.

Why Do Traders Choose to Trade Anonymously

This paper examines the use, determinants, and impact of anonymous orders in a market where disclosure of broker identity in the trading screen is voluntary. We find that most trading occurs nonanonymously, contrary to prior literature that suggests liquidity gravitates to anonymous markets. By strategically using anonymity when it is beneficial, traders reduce their execution costs. Traders select anonymity based on various factors including order source, order size and aggressiveness, time of day, liquidity, and expected execution costs. Finally, we report how anonymous orders affect market quality and discuss implications for market design.

Market Microstructure: A Review from Down Under

The early automation of the Australian and New Zealand financial markets provided researchers with access to high-frequency data to undertake extensive empirical market microstructure research. We use this anniversary edition of Accounting and Finance to review some of this research and to discuss the development of the Australian and New Zealand markets since their automation. We identify issues currently facing the markets and highlight potential areas for future research. The paper also provides a review of market microstructure theory on inventory control models and asymmetric information models.

Shorting at Close Range: A Tale of Two Types

We examine returns, order flow, and market conditions in the minutes before, during, and after NYSE and Nasdaq short sales. We find two distinct types of short sales: those that provide liquidity, and those that demand it. Liquidity-supplying shorts are strongly contrarian at intraday horizons. They trade when spreads are unusually wide, facing greater adverse selection. Liquidity-demanding shorts trade when spreads are narrow and tend to follow short-term price declines. These results support a competitive rational expectations model where both market-makers and informed traders short, indicating that these two shorting types are integral to both price discovery and liquidity provision.

Transaction Costs and Institutional Trading in Small-Cap Equity Funds

This paper examines the magnitude and determinants of trading costs for small-cap funds in Australia. The total price impact for these funds is 0.99% (—0.34%) for purchases (sales). This is considerably larger than costs reported in prior literature. Both purchases and sales exhibit price continuations after the trade package, consistent with an information effect. Although we do not observe the directional asymmetry typically shown in the literature, the magnitude of the total and permanent effects for purchases is larger than for sales. We also show that price impact is related to fund inflows and outflows.